Can a pending payment be stopped?

Asked by: Selmer O'Hara  |  Last update: December 19, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (56 votes)

Yes. To cancel a pending credit card transaction before it's complete, start by calling the merchant directly. Ask the merchant or retailer to reverse the charge, cancel the sale or release the hold for the confirmed amount. The sooner you contact the merchant, the more likely the pending transaction can be canceled.

Can pending money be taken back?

It can be difficult to cancel a pending transaction once it's listed in your account summary​. That's because both you and your bank have approved the payment. And you may have received the goods or services already. You might be able to contact the retailer and chat through potential options.

Can you ask your bank to block a pending transaction?

So, can banks call off pending transactions? The answer is yes, but while merchants can give back a refund within a few days, banks may take several weeks to work through this operation.

Can a pending payment be declined?

Can pending transactions be declined? Banks and credit card issuers might decline pending transactions, especially if the transaction amount exceeds your available funds. That's why it's good to keep track of your account activity to avoid overdraft fees and penalties—if your bank still charges them.

Can a pending transaction be dropped?

They show up almost immediately after a purchase is made, but they haven't fully "posted" to your account until the merchant processes them on their end. For this reason, pending transactions can change or even be removed before they post, depending on how the merchant handles the final billing.

How To Cancel Pending Payment on PayPal (2025)

19 related questions found

Can you stop a transaction if its pending?

Yes. To cancel a pending credit card transaction before it's complete, start by calling the merchant directly. Ask the merchant or retailer to reverse the charge, cancel the sale or release the hold for the confirmed amount. The sooner you contact the merchant, the more likely the pending transaction can be canceled.

Can I tell my bank to block a transaction?

To stop payment, you need to notify your bank at least three business days before the transaction is scheduled to be made and your bank may charge a fee. The notice to stop the transaction may be made orally or in writing. A bank can require written confirmation of an oral stop payment request.

How long can a payment be pending?

A pending transaction is a recent authorised card transaction that is waiting to be processed by the merchant and can take up to 28 days but normally takes 2/3 days to clear onto your balance. Once a pending transaction has cleared, it will appear below in your list of cleared transactions.

Will blocking my card stop pending transactions?

In general, locking your debit card won't stop transactions that were made and authorized before you locked it but are still pending. In other words, if you made a purchase that's pending, then locked your debit card before it completed, that transaction should still go through.

Can banks override pending transactions?

If the vendor takes too long to accept the money, the bank can cancel the transfer. If that happens, the pending transaction will vanish from your account, along with the charge against your balance.

Can you put a stop payment on a pending ACH transaction?

Yes, you can typically amend or cancel an ACH transfer by contacting your bank. If the transaction hasn't been initiated yet, you may be able to stop it from happening. If the transfer has already cleared, you'll need to work with your bank to reverse the ACH transaction.

Does a pending transaction mean it went through?

2. What's a pending transaction? Pending transactions are transactions that haven't been fully processed yet. For example, if you make a purchase with a debit card or credit card, it will almost always show as pending immediately when you view your account online or in a mobile banking app.

Does freezing your account stop pending transactions?

If I have a pending transaction when I freeze my card, will the transaction be paid? Yes. Transactions which have already been authorised will clear. It is only from the point that the lock is put in place that a initiated transaction will be declined.

How do I reverse a pending payment?

How to Cancel a Pending Credit Card or Debit Card Transaction
  1. Step 1: Contact the Merchant. If you want to eliminate the transaction before it settles, contact the merchant who placed the charge. ...
  2. Step 2: Ask the Merchant to Release the Hold. Ask the merchant to contact your card issuer and reverse the transaction.

Can you still spend money that is pending?

Debit card purchases will immediately deduct from your balance to help prevent overspending. A pending debit is not part of your available balance and scheduled debit payments will deduct on the date they're expected to post.

Do pending payments get refunded?

Sometimes pending transactions may disappear from your transaction history and the amount is returned to your available balance. This means the transaction has expired and at this stage has not been processed by the merchant.

Can I stop a pending payment from going through?

Typically you can't cancel a pending transaction. Even if it's fraudulent or the wrong amount, your bank usually needs the transaction to post before it can next steps. That doesn't mean it's impossible to cancel — you can contact the merchant if there is an error and they can usually reverse it.

Can I block a pending payment?

Can you cancel a payment while it's pending? You may be able to cancel a pending payment transaction in some cases. Contacting the merchant directly can be the best route. Many credit card companies may have you wait until the payment is posted before allowing you to dispute it.

Can a pending transaction stay forever?

Key takeaways. Pending charges on credit cards are temporary holds to ensure payment for potential damages or incidental expenses. Pending charges typically take up to three days to clear with the merchant, but can take longer.

What happens if a payment is pending for too long?

If a transaction remains pending longer than normal, it may be from a technical issue or a delay from the merchant's end. Likewise, a quick phone call to the company may resolve it.

What is the maximum time for a pending transaction?

Generally, pending transactions clear within one to five business days, but the exact timing depends on the type of transaction, the payment network, and the bank or credit card issuer.

Why is my payment stuck in pending?

When a payment is marked as “pending” it means that the payment process still needs to be completed. In most cases, this simply means that you need to wait for this to happen. In some cases, however, the merchant may need to take action.

Can you put a stop payment on a pending check?

Payment can only be stopped while it's still pending. Once the payee cashes the check or accepts the payment, it's too late to take action.

How can I block a payment from my bank?

You can contact your bank and place a stop payment order on the recurring transaction. Generally, a stop payment order is only good for six months. To stop payment, you will need to notify your bank at least three business days before the next payment is scheduled to be made. Notice may be made orally or in writing.

Can you dispute a pending charge?

Only posted transactions can be disputed (pending charges are temporary and may change). If you have any immediate concerns about a pending charge, contact the merchant directly. The merchant's contact information is typically found on your receipt or billing statement.